Northstar Travel & Associates's Blog

- great weather, year-round....minimums are usually double-digits (even in winter)....highs are around 28/29 (plus humidity. If you check the internet for weather in Azores, it'll say "rain", that's because at any given time, somewhere on one of the nine islands there could be a bit of rain....but very localised. Luckily, there's plenty to do indoors in case the rain lasts for more than an hour or two. - only a 5 hour flight from Toronto...so only slightly longer than flying to the Caribbean - reasonable prices for airfare and affordable accommodations (from 4 star hotels to more authentic accommodations in pousadas, one and two bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone) - there are nine islands in the Azores and each has something special to offer. In some cases (Faial to Pico) you can get to by ferry, in other cases a short flight is best. I visited four of the nine islands: Sao Miguel was most populous (but NOT crowded at all!), Faial was quiet, Pico (my favourite) is SO picturesque and Terceira is great for shopping - phenomenal eco-tourism....SO scenic and unspoiled and just plain gorgeous....I'm pretty sure I snapped about 2500 photos....edited down to over 1300 now.....so if you feel like you've "been there, done that", you HAVE to go to the Azores! - delicious food (I had absolutely no issues with being accommodated due to being vegan....almost every meal I had was a 10 out of 10)...the rest of our group (15 in total) all said they loved the beef....but also the pork, chicken, and fish dishes....everyone cleaned their plate at almost every sitting...really great food! And wine! - excellent shopping (shoes and clothing were at the top of the list for most of our group). Passion fruit is big there, so they have Passion Fruit Liquer (yum!), Passion Fruit Fanta, and Passion Fruit juice for breakfast....BEST pineapple I've EVER had in my life! The market in Sao Miguel is FANTASTIC! - friendly people, CLEAN and safe towns and cities (I felt safer there than I do here in Canada!) - roads are in immaculate condition..... great for renting a car and exploring....driving is on the right....drivers are very courteous and only once we came across a herd of goats being escorted across the road (150 of them!). Some roads (as you go up the mountains) are hair-pinny, but there are many that are just nicely winding along and others that are straight as an arrow. Around every bend, you'll see something beautiful and/or interesting. - lots of options when it comes to excursions! We visited a beautiful waterfall with a natural "infinity pool"....we visited a vineyard....a tea plantation....we went into the belly of a dormant volcano to check out the most incredible cave I've ever seen!.....we went whale watching and saw hundreds of dolphins...... when it rained we visited a really cool museum (to learn about volcanos in 3-D), we visited a convent, we stopped to take photos of "nature's swimming pool"....I felt like we'd just scratched the surface of all there is to see and do. - although the Azorean islands are in the Atlantic,, sometimes I felt like I was in Switzerland (hills and mountains with green pastures and very healthy Holsteins grazing on lush grass), sometimes I felt like I was on Santorini (brilliant blue sky back-dropping white houses perched on cliffs; steep cobble-stoned pathways and roads), sometimes I felt like I was on Miami's Southbeach (palm trees, sound of the ocean nearby, and a plethora of cafes, great for people watching), and other times I felt like I was in the Caribbean with the hot sunshine on my back...truly SO diverse! I loved the Azores so much, I've promised myself a return trip. And who knows, maybe I'll even buy a small property there some day and make it my home-away-from-home. To check out my photos, go to the Northstar homepage and click on PHOTOS. For more information, rates, and reservations, please contact me directly. read more

1. Each guest gets a 50 minute daily spa treatment included with their stay which can be personalized in advance. 2 . Each guest receives an Activities Book...from 7:00am to 7:00pm there is something available to keep guests active. Group Exercise Classes include: Mind and Body Classes and Fitness and Tone Classes...Yoga, Golf, Tennis.... Scuba, Volcano and Snorkelling Tours, Bottom Fishing, Organized Early Morning Swim, Kayaking... 3. Property is compact. Rooms are spacious and clean. Guests receive a Pillow Menu. 4. Staff is friendly, professional, and courteous. 5. Food is fresh, healthy, plentiful and delicious; all dietary needs can be met. International-brand liquor. Dinner @ TAO is superb and highly recommended (reservations required). 6. Communal Dining Table available for solo travellers. 7. Variety of nightly entertainment. I really enjoyed the "Wine, Cheese and Jazz" with Saxophonist Rob "Zi" Taylor (bought his CD in the gift-shop on-site). There's also a Country & Western Band that comes in, there's a Steel Band for the Beach BBQ, Live DJs...always something different. All guests are invited to the sunset cruise and for cocktails at the "Oasis". 8. Beach is cove-like with clear water, soft light grey sand, and with no sudden drop-off. 9. No "all-inclusive bracelet" to wear; not necessary to sign for meals, beverages etc. 10. Resort guests are like-minded. Adults Only. High number of repeat-guests. Wedding Packages available. read more

If you like bringing your family in a great resort and hotel, this is for you! read more

If you like shopping foods, this is a place for you! read more

Enjoy a variety of our meals at San Diego!!! Truly tasty like no any other place read more

Do you think of taking your family for an hike? Melbourne is the right place for you read more

Take a sneak peek at one of the most well-liked travel destinations in Western Australia. read more

With its almost iconic gilded dome, it’s hard not to miss today’s featured Bangkok accommodation. read more

Today’s featured Miami store produces souvenirs that aren’t only inspired by the era of Romeo & Juliet but also by the fashion from the 18th to the early 19th century. read more

 

Situated on the southern seaboard of Hawaii is the 300,000- to 600,000-year-old shielded volcano, named Kilauea.

For more than a century now, this Hawaiian volcano has become one of the most popular travel attractions on the island, and its accessibility is further complemented by the immediate availability of a group of hotels constructed at its rim. So get a better view of the Kilauea Volcano in this terrifying shot captured by Metron.
 

So speak with our travel representatives today to begin your travel plans on your Hawaii holiday trip!

 

 

 

So contact us now to get started with your next adventure in China!

Pied-a-Terre Location

 

If unique gourmet dishes are what you need while vacationing in London, then let the meticulously-planned fares at the Pied-a-Terre complete your day for you.

Choose from a good selection of its tasty-looking menus, and find later on that these are made with the freshest and excellent-quality, seasonal components. Get more info on this glass-fronted French resto, wherein delectable 2-course meals start from £23.50 to £57.50, in this excerpt of a review posted on travel-centered website, called Frommer’s:
 

The set lunch is one of London's greatest bargains. Where else could you get tuna tartare with avocado crème fraîche, quail eggs, and fennel dressing, and then roast pork with its braised cheek, potato fondant, and spicy sauce, perfectly balanced with pickled apples and apple purée for £23.50? Cheese or dessert (including pre-dessert) might be a smooth mango velouté with coconut mousse and Thai basil for an extra £6. The à la carte dinner menu is more ambitious producing superb dishes that look as beautiful as they taste. Save up for Pied à Terre; you won't regret it.
 

Get the rest of the resto review here, and consider savoring superb French dishes at London’s Pied-a-Terre.
 

So contact us as early as now for more ideas on your next gastronomic delight in London!

Photo Credit

Find more adventure in Oregon by checking out a river in its southwestern region. read more

 

Nestled on the shores of Bahia de Banderas right in front of the Pacific Ocean is the fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. One of the highlights of this Mexican town is the Huanacaxtle wood-made cross found right at its entrance. Get more info on this Nayarit village in this video shared to us by Herbert J. Kellner.
 

So contact our travel experts now to start preparing for your next escapade to Mexico!

Witness a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a mountain range situated in the northeastern part of Italy. read more

Learn more about the typical and not-so-common travel attractions in the District. read more

Find a humble city in Italy by opting to stay further southeast of Sicily. read more

Often when people think of planning a destination wedding the first destinations that come to mind are Mexico or Cuba. However, if you are looking for something a little different why not consider the white beaches of Aruba. Aruba is fastly becoming the wedding destination of choice for many Canadian couples so make sure to add Aruba to your list.

Discover the travel attractions in Naples, including the nearby Pompeii. read more

 

Since Rio de Janeiro is where you’ll find one of the biggest Portuguese residents apart from Portugal’s Lisbon, you should expect its residents to speak the Portuguese language. Although Spanish and English are spoken by a few, it still helps to learn about the basic words and phrases that you could use during your travel to this part of Brazil. Watch this clip created by KzGiunto, and see if you could remember and practice saying the Portuguese words that he prepared for you.
 

So get in touch with us today to learn more tips that you could use on your next vacation in Rio de Janeiro!

Known as Spain’s biggest city, you’ll also find loads of gastronomic offerings in Madrid. read more